Trailer for carrying general freight and automobiles



April 28, 1953 w. o. BRIDGE 2,636,772 l TRAILER Fon CARRYING GENERAL FREIGHT AND AUTOMOBILES Filed March 20, 1948 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 28, 1953 w. o. BRIDGE 2,636,772

TRAILER FOR CARRYING GENERAL FREIGHT AND AUTOMOBILES 1l SheetsfSheet 2 Filed March 20, 1.948

' IN VEN TOR. t En m'ZZz/n fl'fge,

Aprll 28, 19534 w. o. BRIDGE 2,535,772

TRAILER FOR CARRYING GENERAL FREIGHT AND AUTOMOBILES Filed March zo, 1948 11 sheets-sheet s JNVENToR. MZ/Z'd/f? 0. ,Br/afge.

April 28, 1953 w. o. BRlDGE TRAILER RoR CARRYING GENERAL FREIGHT AND AUTOMOBILES Filed March 20, 1948 1l Sheets-Sheet 4 April 28, 1953 w. QCBRIDGE 2,536,772.

TRAILER FOR ARRYING GENERAL FREIGHT AND AUTOMOBILES Filed March 20, 1948 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 /60 /cya i. .55.

April 28, 1953 .w. o. BRIDGE 2,635,772

TRAILER FOR CARRYING GENERAL FREIGHT AND AUTOMOBILES Filed March 20, 1948 l1 Sheets-Shea?l 6 INVENTOR. M/zZZz'd/ff fl'/ e Mil/,2% M.

Aprll 28, 1953 w. o. BRIDGE 2,636,772

TRAILER FOR CARRYINGl GENERAL FREIGHT AND AUTOMOBILES Filed March 20, 1948 l1 Sheets-Sheet 7 April 28, 1953 2,636,772

W. o. BRIDGE TRA-Im FOR CARRYING GENERAL FREIGHT AND AUTOMOBILES Filed March 20, 194B 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 v/Ma INVEN TOR.

Hrw/Infra APH] 28, 1953 w. o. BRIDGE 2,636,772

TRAILER FOR CARRYING GENERAL FREIGHT AND AUTOMOBILES Filed March 20, 1948 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 W. O. BRIDGE TRAILER FOR CARRYING GENERAL FREIGHT AND AUTOMOBILES ELE- April 2s, 1953 Filed March 20, 1948 April 28, 1953 w.-o. BRIDGE 2,636,772

TRAILER FOR CARRYING GENERAL FREIGHT AND AUTOMOBILES 11 Sheets-Sheet 1l Filed March 20, 1948 ,fyrra/T/l/Eys.

Patented Apr. 28, 1953 TRAILER FOR CARRYING GENERAL FREIGHT AND AUTOMOBILES wiuiam apriage, Detroit, Mich., assignmto Evans Products Company, Plymouth, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application March 20, 1948, Serial No. 16,034

This invention relates generally to dual purpose highway vehicles, and more particularly, is directed to the provision of a dual purpose highway vehicle which can readily be converted so as to enable it to economically haul either a plurality Iof standard sized automobiles arranged in two levels, or to carry, predominantly upon a standard or loading dock height licor, a full volume of general merchandise.

The engineering and special-"requirements of highway vehicles specially designed to economically carry a plurality (at least three and preferably four) of standard sized automobiles (such vehicles being generally in the form of trailers and being commonly knownf'as haulaways) are materially differentfrom the requirements for highway vehicles designed to economically transport general freight.

The above has heretofore been true to such an extent that two genericallyl different types of vehicles have been developed for these two purposes, and neither of which are adapted to economically carry both kinds of loads." Thus, while operators of the general type of freight carrying trucks or trailers endeavor and generally are able to arrange for payloads both going and coming o'n a particular trip, the haulaway operators have not been able to do this. Instead, the haulaways go out loaded and are obliged to return empty, since prior to the present invention it has been considered impossible to design and build an economically satisfactory vehicle for these twodifferent types of loads.

The loading and unloading 4of the great bulk of general1freight, commonly' called dry freight, is handled from and to loading docks the height Aof which is rather well standardized at a ligure which is of the order of-,fcur feet. The use 'of ramps or gang planks which connect the freight -floor of the vehicles with the docks, of course, permit some vari-ation between the heights of the docks and such freight floors but for efficient handling, particularly of heavy freight articles, these iioor and dock heights should bear a reasonably close relation to each other.` On the other hand, the length and height limitations on highway vehicles now imposed by law inA most states, the requirements ,for adequate ground clearance, and the dimensions of modern automobiles, are such that it is impractical to load automobiles on a floor which meets the reasonable dock-high requirements." Instead,a satisfactorily positioned dock-high floor intercepts or lies between the upper and lower limits of the volume or space to be efficiently occupied by automobiles. I y

13 Claims.

In the now preferred practice of the invention, the automobiles are arranged in superposed or deckedarrangements, each deck containing at least one, and preferably two, automobiles.. In

another illustrative arrangement, the automobiles may be arranged in what might be called an inclined, stacked arrangement. In both ,of these arrangements, portions of the automobile `supporting sturcture are positioned well `above the loading dock height and otherportions are desirablypositioned well below the loading dock height. Thus, in a generic sense, the present invention may be characterized by the provision of what may be called three-level loading, the dry freight floor being atan intermediate level and the' automobile carrying elements being arranged at two levels which are, respectively, above and `below the dry freight level. v,

In another generic aspect the present invention may be` considered as embracing arrangements in which at least one'automobile is carried in'a highway vehicle in a position so that it 'extends above and'below the freight carrying position of a movable floor or floor portion.

With the foregoing general considerations in mind, major objects of the present invention are Vto provide a dual' purpose highway vehicle, preferably in the form of a trailer, and which is readily' convertible sothat in one adjusted condition it can carry one or more, and, preferably three or four, standard or full-sized automobiles, and in another adjusted condition provides a freight fcarrying floorat substantially dock height, the ".clock height floorl falling intermediate the upper :'andlower limits of the space occupied bythe -automobile or automobiles when the vehicle is in `its Vfirst adjusted'condition; and to provide such 2adual purpose vehicle in which, under both oonditions, loading and unloading takes place from uthe rear, whereby the strength of the vehicle side '.walls is not reduced by the provision of entries therein.

Further important objects of the invention are `to provide a convertible highway Vehicle incorporating what is generically referred to above as a Athree-level arrangement wherein under one condition a dry freight floor` at substantially dock lheight is provided, and in another condition. automobile supporting means are provided at levels above and below the first-mentioned level; to provide such arrangements wherein the :automobiles are arranged in superposed or decked arrangement, 4above and below thelevel of the freight fioor, when the vehicle is in automobilecarrying condition, whereby the automobiles may be loaded and unloaded by driving them. into place upon their respective supporting means; to provide such arrangements wherein the dry freight floor is substantially continuous from end to end and side to side of the vehicle so as to provide maximum carrying capacity therefor; to provide such arrangements wherein, when converting the vehicle from one carrying condition to another, any supporting or structural elements which are not utilized under both carrying conditions, can readily be stowed in such-a way as to occupy a minimum of space; to provide such arrangements wherein the elements which form or support the freight floor and the elements which form or support at least the upper deck of automobiles, are movable, in the hereinafter defined generic sense, between active and stowed positions in which they do not interfere with. the loading of automobiles on the one hand, or freight on the other hand; to provide such arrangements wherein at least certain of the structural or load ing elements interchangeably serve under both loading or carrying conditions, thereby minimizing the overall number of parts which are required; and. to provide such arrangements wherein at least certain of the loading elements are piller-proof in the sensethat, while they are movable, they are not readily removable from the vehicle.

1n the preferred practice of the invention, the

ltrailer structure as a whole defines two general lower levels, or is of the drop center type. That is to say, the trailer frame structure includes a low slung intermediate portion and at least. one and generally two raised end portions, the rear raised portion being used where the drive-between, tandem, rear trailer wheels are not em.- ployed, and being positioned above the usually dual rear wheels of the trailer, and the front raised portion, where used, being elevated toA accommodate the usual fth wheel connection to the tractor unit. These end portions constitute platform areas, preferably at dock height and capable of supporting either general or dry freight. They may also support the wheels at one end1 of one or two lower level automobiles.

It is, accordingly, a further important object of the invention to provide the aforesaid dual purpose, andpreferably the aforesaid three-level arrangement, in trailer structures of the drop center type.

Afurther and also related object is to. achieve the maximum utilization of the volume cfa highway freightv carrying vehicle, particularly one having a portion intermediate its length lower than its normal freight carrying floor, and more particularly one which incorporates dual purpose features as aforesaid'. Under present height, width, and length limitations, as aforesaid, and with adequate ground clearance (of the order of one foot or more) the volume or well space between a dock height floor and the bottom of the drop center portion (which is preferably floored, according to the present invention) are ofthe order of magnitude of 30% of the volume above the dock heightfioor in a trailer of' approximately BB-foot length. In accordance with the present invention, this substantial additionalv volume is utilized 'preferably for the carrying of so-called balloon or light and bulky freight, which is easy to lift in and out of the well space. In accordance with the invention, access to the well is afforded preferably by the same movement of the dock height floor portions which permits them to be stowed. Another object of this invention is to provide such a dual purpose vehicle in which all possible portions thereof are utilized or stressed to best advantage under both loading conditions and wherein the freight and automobile loading elements in fact constitute part of the frame structure of the vehicle.

Further objects of the invention are to provide improved structural members and arrangements of structural members which enable the ready and economical achievement of the foregoing generally stated objects, the details and advantages of which will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which like numerals are used throughout the various views to designate like parts,

Figure 1 is a perspective view, looking in from the opened rear doors, showing the interior of a trailer` embodying the invention, and with its parts arranged to receive the lower two automobiles, but with the upper automobile supporting tracks folded out of the way;

Fig; 2. is a view'in side elevation. of the trailer of Fig. 1 when it is arranged to transport automobiles, the arrangement of the automobiles be'- ing shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of' the trailer shown in Fig. 1 showingV the arrangement of the upper tracks for supporting the upper layer of automobiles;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3` but with the top section. of the trailer cut away to show the arrangement of the lower automobile supporting tracks;

Fig. 5 is a rear end view of the trailer, with certain of the parts broken away;

Figs. 6A and 6B when placed in end-to-end re lation, constitute an interior view in vertical section, taken at the position of the line 6-5 of Fig. 3 and showing the dock-height iioor in stowed position, and with theloaded automobiles shown in dotted lines;

Figs. 7A and '7B when arranged in end-to-end relation constitute an interior view in vertical section, at the position of line 'I l of Fig. 3, showing upper runway in stowed condition and the dock-height oor in freight carrying condition:

Fig. 8 is a view taken substantially along the lines 88 of' Fig. 6B;

Fig. 9 is a view taken substantially along the linesy 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 1,0 is a view taken substantially along the lines IQ--ID of Fig. 7A;

Fig. 11 is a view taken substantially along the lines Il--H of Fig. 10;y

Fig. 12 is a viewtaken substantially along the lines |2-I2 of Fig. 6A;

Fig. 13 isV a view similar to. Figs. 6A and 6B showing a modified form of dual-purpose trailer construction;

Fig; 14 is a view similar to Figs. 7A and 7B, of the construction shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a view taken substantially along' the lines l5|5v of Fig. 14;

Fig. 15v is. a view taken substantially along the lines [f5- l5 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a bottom view of a ramp member;

Fig. 18 is a view taken substantially along the lines l--l of Fig. 15;

Fig.. 19 is a View taken substantially along the lines I'Q--l of Fig. 18; and

Fig. 20 is a view taken substantially along the lines 20-29 ofV Fig. 19.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I indicatesv generally a trailer body having rear wheels 2 and a nfth wheel engaging portion 4 adapted to rest upon a fifth wheel 6 at the rear end of a highway tractor, a portion of which is diagrammatically shown at 8, and having drive wheels Ill. As best shown'in Figs. 6A and 6B, the trailer I comprises a pair of longitudinally extending lower structural side frame members I2, one 1ocated on either side of the trailer. Members I2 each have an elevated frontal portion |4 which accommodates the tractor connection, and then sweeps downwardly in an arcuate portion as at I6. The rear end of each member I2 is joined, by an arcuate section 2l] (to go over the trailer wheels 2), to a rear end section 22. Preferably, and as illustrated, wheels 2 are of the dual type, although, of course, tandem arrangements in which the lower automobiles may be driven or `positioned between the trailer wheels, as known in the haulaway art, may be used.

The two side members I2 are connected together at spaced intervals by transversely extending box-section cross frame members 24 upon which portions of the lower automobile support ing means or tracks 21 are supported.

Preferably, the sides of the trailer are of the lightweight unit construction of the semi-mono.- coque or semi-stressed skin type, and these sides are preferably prefabricated in suitable jigs and vhave a light grid-like frame of preferably vertically extending hollow or box-type frame members 26 and preferably horizontally extending and hollow or box-like frame members 29 secured together, preferably in one plane, as by welding. An outer and stressed skin preferably of sheet metal is rigidly secured to frame members 26 and 29 as by welding. The lower and upper edges of these composite trailer side walls are secured, respectively, to the said lower side frame members I2 and to horizontally longitudinally extending top side rails or frame members 28, as by welding. Other boxlike sections 29a extend obliquely and are also welded to the bars 26. As is usual in trailer construction, the front end of the trailer framework is curved as at 3B (Fig. 3) to permit relative turning between the tractor 8 and the trailer body I.

The rear end portion of the trailer I is provided with a transversely extending platform or floor 3| resting on supports 32 which interconnect opposite box members 2B of the two walls of the trailer and are arranged at a suitable height, of ,the order of 4 feet, whereby when the trailer body I is backed up to a loading dock. the platform 3| carried by these supports 32 will be at substantially the same elevation. The front portion of the trailer Ik with the exception ofxthe portion -which receives the-,forward .end ofthe tracks 21 is provided with a suitably supported permanent lplatform 34, which is preferably at the same height as platform 3|.

In further accordance with the invention, the drop center portion of the frame structurewis floored, which iiooring serves or may serve sev- .eral important purposes, i. e., it will prevent splash or road dirt from reaching the lower portions of automobiles carried thereabove or of freight articles carried in said drop center portions, and also prevent loss of freight articles carried, for example, on the cross frame members of the frame structure, or on runways 21, or otherwise supported in said drop center portion. Also, this flooring may serve to directly` support freight articles and/or automobiles carried in this drop center portion. f

In the embodiment now being described. th lowermost automobiles are Icarried on and guided .into position by tracks orrunways 21 one of 6 `which is located-adjacent each side of the vehicle. These runways 21 have generally horizontal central portions and forward and rear inclined portions 21a and 2lb, which lead from the lower portion to the elevated platforms 3| and 34, and are so inclined as to prevent hanging-up of the under body portions of automobiles being driven into and out of the lower decked positions. These runways in themselves thus partially iioor the drop center or well portion of the trailer struc ture and, when handling dry freight, may be employed to support the same in the well. Additionally, in the embodiment now being described, the partial iiooring afforded by the runways 21 is supplemented and completed by a continuous `under no or |2a, which may be formed of transversely corrugated sheet metal and may be welded or otherwise suitably secured to the under side of the cross frame members 24 and the side frame members I2. Thus, it will be seen that while the horizontal, portions of the track members 21 are preferred as a matter of convenience for guiding automobiles in or out of the trailer, yet it is not essential that separate tracks or runways, as distinguished from a continuous floor, be provided,

in the broader aspects of the invention.

The lowertracks are welded to the front end of the platform 3| and extend downwardly into engagement with one of the cross members 24 which is located forwardly of the rear trailer wheels 22 and then extend substantially along the tops of the cross members 24 forwardly to ashort distance rearwardly of the forward arcuate section or portion I6 after which they again extend upwardly to a level slightly below the level of the forward portion I4 of the members I2. If desired, the extreme forward end portions of the lower tracks may extend slightly downwardly so that when a motor vehicle is in position as s hown in dot-dash lines of Fig. 6A, the shape of the tracks will tend to hold the vehicle in the desired location. Likewise, a short section of the lower tracks just rearwardly of the place in which the lower track inclines upwardly, may be slightly inclined -to provide for receiving the rear wheels of a motor vehicle, as shown in the dot-dash lines of Fig. 6A. The length of the inclined track portion which extends downwardly from the platform portion 3| is preferably arranged so that its length substantially coincideswith the wheel base length of the average motor vehicle which the trailer will be called upon to transport, substantially as shown by the motor vehicle in dot-dash lines of Fig. 6B. y

Both the rigidly secured, partialooring sections or tracks 21, as well as the underooring |2a, are stressed and materially strengthen the vehicle as a while. It will be apparent that the tracks 21 may constitute additional lower longitudinal frame members by welding or other"- wise suitably aixing them to the cross beams 24.

With the automobiles arranged as shown in back-to-back relation, with the hood of the forward automobile positioned vover the fifth wheel 4, and the hood of the rearward vehicle extending rearwardly of the trailer I so that it is substantially over the rear trailer wheel 2`, a second set of automobiles may be carried above the first set of automobiles and in nested relation therewith (i. e., the upper portions of the lower automobiles may bereceived between the wheels, and in the underbody clearance, of the upper automobiles, as illustrated) upon upper tracks 40 and 42. The open space `between s,esserev vthe upperv tracked@ and l2 permits. thisnested relation.

The upper tracks lit and l2 are substantially identical and each are composed oi a plurality track sections 54, itt, til', 5d 52 which are supported. on swinging wings or brackets 54 and' when the trailer is arranged' for carrying automobiles; The brackets Ell, as shown in Fig. 7A and 7B are preferably formed of tubular members. Each bracket dit comprises a tubular member bent to form two portions 54a and Mb rl-lich extend` substantially at rightv angles with respect to each other. rEhe portion 55o is journaled within one of a plurality oi' U-shaped members whicllv have vtheir outwardly eX- tending open portions welded one to either side of `the uprights 2t. The other portion 5ta is adapted to be swung into a position in which it extends inwardly from' the uprights- 2.6 in a substantnlly horizontal planeror supporting the underside of the upper tracks /l or Mt. Obliquely extending supporting members til, one for each bracket respectively, have one end. portion secured as by welding to the outer er;u tending end portion of the portion 54o. and have their other end. portion journaled within a second U-shaped strap member te. The members t4 have their outer extending. end portions welded to the upright similarly tothe members B2'. The brackets brackets til and have portions 5ta and' Etb and members; te. The portion 5ta, however, has an extending: portion. Elric which proectsr inwardly oi' the. trailer so that itl may be removably secured (as described below) to a similar portion 5ta of a second bracket 56 carried by an upright 26" on the other or opposite wall of the trailer body i. The portion Eile is preferably offset upwardly from the plane of the portion lita to forni a shoulder against. which the inner of the tracks 4t or i2 may be` positioned whereby the distance between the two tracks is determined.

'The positioning of the brackets 5t will to some ci' fnt depend upon the size and' shape ofthe automobiles which the trailer is designed to transport on. the lower ramp or tracks 27 and Elo. The brackets o@ are preferably arranged as' shown at periodic intervals whereby the opposite brackets 55 may be clamped' together by :means of cvercenter clampingmeans Sil. These brackets 5'5 thereby serve not only to locate the inward position. of the upper tracks 4l). and 42 but also serve to support the side walls of the trailer. against deiiection vduring movement of the trailer, thus constitute part of the strength framing of the trailer.

Additionally, as shown in Fig. 1, the sidewalls of the trailer i are interconnected by a pair of frame forming, removable cross bars 59 and ll which extend between the top rails 28. The bar te is located substantially midway of the trailer while the bar 'il is at the rear end thereof. When the trailer i is used for hauling automobiles, the bar t9 is removed and left out, since the brackets 5t will then be interconnecting the side walls. The bar 'H is removed for loading purposes and may then be repositioned. Each of the bars G9 and 'il are removably held in place by king pins it which extend through aligned apertures in brackets "M, carried by the members 2B and fingers 75, carried by the bars t9 and ll.

Reinforcing plate members 7E! (one onlyL of which. is shown in Fig. GB) are suitably secured tt are similar to the as by welding each side ofthe trailer 'F adjacent its rearmost vertical support 2E. One plate member lll is welded to one of the horizontally extending box-supporting bars or members 29 and lan obliquely extending bar 29a which extends from the rear end of the trailer I and to' the real-most support 2t at one side of the trailer while the other is similarly carried by the other side oi the trailer. As may be seen more in detail' in Figs. 3 and 9, each member T0 has an L-shaped bracket l5 suitablsl welded to its inward face. A lateral portion I8 thereofv positions one end of a rear transverse supu porting bar Sil.

The supporting' bar Bt terminates at each end in a clamping device or head 82'. Thedevice 82 is preferably a forging having a central aperture 6d extending vertically therethrough in which is ful'crumed a locking catch S6 and which catch is urged in. a counterclockwise direction by means of a spring 88. The outer or nose end of the head 8?. has a pair oi' spaced downwardly extending pins to which are received within apertures 9E' in the portion lil'. With the locking member 32 in position with the` pins at extending through the apertures t2, the spring 88 is operable to move the latch t6 into latching ensagement with the under surface of the lip portion 'i8 of the angle brackets lt whereby the roar cross bar to is locked in position. The rear cross bar supports the estreme rear end portion or, the track sections la ci the two tracks do and Ilz.

All of the sections or the upper tracks. do and 42' are generally channel shaped, having upwardly directed side iianges 9d and 96 and' wheel supportingk web portions t8 (Fig. i0). The track sections M, 48 and 52 of each of the tracks 68 and l2 are substantially straight, and in the present embodiment. are hinged to the adjacent walls of the trailer i by means of hinges |04, as is perhaps best shown in Fig. l0. Each hinge H14 is of U-shaped strap-like form, and is connected at its end to a laterally turned extension 9S of the corresponding track et or 42. Each hinge H34 is pivotally connected to a pin which is in turn supported on a correspond-- ing upright 2S. When these straight track sections IM, t3 and 52 are not in use, theyv may thus Vbe hinged upwardly against the side walls of the trailer l, to the stowed positions shown in Fig; l. As illustrated, latch type retainers I8@ maybe provided to hold these track sections the stowed position.

In converting the structure forV transporting automobiles, the brackets 5e and 5t are rotated in the` hinge straps 62 and Bxl so that they ex'- tend inwardly, substantially perpendicular to the side Walls of. the trailer. Thereafter, the track sections 4d, IES and 52 are released from their catches H10 and are pivoted downwardly to the supported postions shown, for example, in Fig. 10. It willbe noticed that the under sides of each of thev hinge sections may, if desired, be provided .with means to interlock with the wings 5t and 56. Such interlocking means, indicated at '10| in connection with the track sections M, may be used on the other track sections and may be supplemented as desired by other holding means to removably secure the sections in place.

The track sections l5 are of substantially the contour shown in Fig. 6B and are not hinged to the side walls of the trailer but are lifted and set into place upon lips |06 which are carried by the adjacent end'. sections oi' the track portions "44 and 48 as shown in Fig. 6B and 7B. The track sections 46 not only ride upon the lips |06 but will also ride upon-the intermediate brackets 54 or 56.

The forward track sections 50 are similarly arranged and are removably set into place to interconnect the adjacent end sections of the track sections 48 and 52 whereby a substantially Acontinuous upper track extending end-to-eiid of the trailer is provided.

The rear cross bar 80 has spaced pairs 0f ears I (Fig. 5) which extend rearwardly` therefrom and are aligned with the end portions of the track sections 44. These ears have aligned apertures for receiving pins which extend through similarly apertured ears in ramps (not shown) by which automobiles may be driven onto the tracks 40 and 42 either from a loading platform or from the surface which supports the wheels 2. Similar apertured ears (not shown) may be provided on the rearrnost support 32 whereby ramps may be arranged to permit automobiles to be driven onto the rear platform 3| and thence to the tracks 21 and 21a for loading of the trailer I when loading docks are not available. After automobiles have been loaded on the 4upper and lower tracks as shown in dot-dash lines in Figs. 6A and 6B, the ramps secured by pins tothe ears ||0 may be removed and thereafter the rear trailer doors l2 may be closed and secured in closed position by suitable and conventional truckdoor-securing hardware.

When it is desired to use the trailer for hauling dry freight, the track sections 46 and 50 are lifted from plate` and the 'track sections 44, 43 and 52 are rotated about their hinges into a position against the adjacent side walls of the trailer wall,.being held in this position by the hooks |01. The brackets 54 and 56 are rotated into a position against the side walls and the rear cross bar 80 is removed. The bar B0 is removed by manually moving the protruding portion 81 of its latches 86 against the force of the springs 88 to remove the latches 86 out from holding engagement with the portions 18 of the brackets i6 after which the bar 80 may be removed. The conversion is completed by establishing the dock-high floor, now to be described.

Swing-up U-frames or yoke members are hinged to the lower cross beam 24 intermediate the adjacent edges of the lower track sections 21 and 21a and are so proportioned in size that when they are pivoted into a substantially vertical position the top horizontally extending cross bars |52 thereof will lie substantially in a horizontal plane. The yokes |50 each have a horizontal member |52 and legs |56 which extend outwardly therefrom and parallel to each other and which are hinged attheir extending end portions to the cross bars 24. Certain of the adjacent yokes |50 may be connected together for concurrent movement upwardly into a substantial perpendicular or floor supporting position. As `shown in Fig. 6B, bars E58 interconnect the lsecond from the rear and the third from the` rear yoke members |50. These bars |58 are loosely connected to the horizontal sections |52 of these yokes |50 by means of straps |60 which are welded at either `end to the bar |58 and extend around the adjacent horizontal section |52. When these yokes |50 are raised into position they form a set of spaced supports for the foldable floor which is then moved into position for supporting the dry freight.

The foldable floor |10 comprises pairs of sec--` tions |12, |14, |16, |18 and |80 which'are allsimi-` lar and comprise two sections of flooring material hinged at their adjacent edges to each other.

The section |82 which is closest to the side wall of the trailer is hinged thereto. 4The other section |84 of each of the sections |12 through |80 may be grasped and lifted outwardly whereby the sections |82 and |84 areunfolded and laid on topof the yoke supports |50. The floor sections |82 and |84 may have anglesupports |50 (Fig. 10) extending transversely thereof which are notched to receive thebais |58 and which are also so `arranged that Vthe yokes |50 will abut thereagainst to prevent accidental pivoting of their hinged end portions whereby the floor would bevcome unsupported. The licor sections also may be provided with longitudinally extending angle brackets I9! which are notched to receive the horizontal member |52. Hooks |92 hold the floor sections in folded position upwardly against the side walls of the trailer when the floor is not being used. l i

As shown in Fig. 5, suitable brackets |86 may be secured adjacent the top edges of the sides of the trailer and on top of these supports |86 a tarpaulin or other structure |88 may be placed to form a top for the trailer which is now in condition for transporting general merchandise in the usual manner.

In Fig. 11 there is shown in detail a stop cohstruction Which limits upward movement ofthe yokes |50 to slightly more than 90. This hinge member for the yokes |50 comprises a U-shaped member 200 having its connecting portion `suitably secured as by welding to the cross supports 24. The extending portions of the U-shaped member 200 have aligned apertures 2102 in which a pivot pin is secured and which pivot pin also extends through an aperture in a lower pin extension 204 of the hollow legs |56. A stop member 206 against which the extension abuts is provided to limit clockwise rotation of the yoke members |50 about their pivot pins 203.

rlne horizontal extensions 56e of the uppertrack supporting brackets 55 are preferably formed oi hollow tubing.. The brackets 56 `arranged along one side wall oi the trailer carry i an `overcenter toggle locking mechanism 68 (Fig. 12) which comprises a pair 0I' arms 2|0 and 2|2 joined together at one end by a cross member 2m and having their other ends pivotally carried ona pivot. pin 216 which is carried by one of the bracket sections 56e. A pair of hook members zld, one located on either side of the section 5cc, is pivotally carried by the side arms 21u and zlZ on pivot'pins 22d. Ilhe location `of the pins 220 and 2lb' 1s preferably such that; With the connecting member 2l4 in engagement with the top `suriace oi the bracket portion 55C, a Icrce tending to pull vthe hook members 2|8 toward the other Walrol'. the trailer will exert a downward force on the member 2|4 tending to rotate the arms zlu, 2W` in a counterclockwise direction. 'l'ne pins 2|6 and 22u are further arranged so that upon a predetermined clockwise movementol' the arms 2|0 and` 2|2, the pin 220 will pass the line of' centers of the pins Zlii and the catch portion of the members 2l8 so that the locking mechanism acts in an overcenter manner. 'lhe bracket sections .50cv along the opposite side of the trailer carry a locking pin or bolt 222 which is reciprocal within this last-named bracket portion 56C. These lastnamed bracket portions `56o each havefa pair of elongated Aslots 224 which receive a bolt 226 carried by the locking pin`222 whereby the move'- ment-of the boi-tzzzinto andoutof the bracket 11 section 93e is limited. The pin 226 `extends outwardly'of the bracket portion 53e and the catch portion of the hooks 213 is adapted t hook over the extending end portions of the pin 226 whereby, when the arms 219 and 212 are moved in a counterclockwise direction, the hooks 222 will pull the pin 226 thereby sliding the locking pin 222 into telescoping engagement withnan opposite bracket portion 56e whereby the pair of brackets 54 are locked together. A sleeve 228 is provided to fill in the gap between the adjacent ends of the pairs of bracket sections 55e so that with the locking mechanism 68 in locked position the pairs of brackets 53 will be rigidly connected together. v

In Figs. 13 through 18 inclusive there is shown a somewhat modified form of trailer 301i. The trailer 3113, which in general construction is quite similar to that of the trailer 1, has a pair of spaced lower supporting members 312. These members 312 are joined together by spaced box-section lower connecting members 324 andthe side walls have upright supports 326 spaced along the side wall of the vehicle secured at one end to the member 312 and at its upper end to the top member 323 and interconnected by horizontal and oblique sections 329 and 329e. The trailer 3,00 has the lower tracks 321 which .comprise lfiat plate members similarly arranged to the tracks 21 yfor the reception of two automobiles and has a rear platform 331 corresponding to the plaitform 31. The trailer 399 also ,has upper tracks 349 and 342 whereby a second or elevated row of automobiles may be carried in the trailer 3911 above the lower set of automobiles on the tracks 321 and 32.8.Y The upper set ,of tracks 34S and 342 comprises several straight sections 359 along each side wall of the trailer. These track sections 3513 include plank members 399 ,(Fig. 17) having fiat upper and lower surfaces, the length of which is equal to the width of the trailer 301i whereby when they are not used as longitudinal track sections for supporting motor vehicles, they may be used as a lateral portion of the dockheight door used to carry general or dry freight. These plank members 3.90 comprise wood strips arranged in side-by-side relation secured together by metal angle members (Fig. 17). Certain angle members 391 extend transversely of the plank members 399 and certain other angle members 392 extend longitudinally thereof.. These members v391 and 392 are interconnected with diagonally extending .angle members 393.

In the embodiment now being described, the upper runways and the dock-height floor are supported upon cross members or bars 40B, which in turn are removably supported by cooperating side supports located on the trailer walls. More particularly, the runway side supports are in the form of short yrack-like pieces 399 having upwardly facing teeth. The pieces 399 are secured to the prights 32` of thevtrailer 390 as by welding.

The details of construction of the side supports 399 and cross bars 400 form no part of the present invention and the illustrated members are of a commercially available type and so need only brief description herein.

Referring particularly to Figs. 15 and 18 through 20, each cross bar 409 comprises a generally rectangular body, formed, for example, of two wooden beams 410, separated by a reinforcing Z-bar 412, these elements being held in as. sembled relation to each other by through bolts 4 14. Eachr barucomprisesa pair of end heads 12 v415 and 416 which-are alike except that while head 415 is immovably fixed withrespect to the body of the bar, the other head 4.16 is telescopic with respect thereto. Only the telescopic head is shown in detail herein. This head 416 is provided with a neck 418, which is telescopically received in a sleevelike opening 421], formed in the bar, and is held against rotation therein by a pin 422. Pin 422 rides in a slot 424 which limits the telescoping movement of the head relative to the body of the bar. Each head 416 comprises a xed jaw 421i, having on its under surface a series of toothlike projections 428, which mate with the toothlike projections on the rack pieces 399. Each head 416 also includes a latch plate 439 which, in the locking position of Figs. 18 and 19, underlies the associated rack piece 399 and holds the teeth 428 in engagement with the corresponding teeth of the pieces 399. Each jaw 426 also has side walls 432 and 434 between which the corresponding rack piece 399 is received. These portions 432 and 434 limit movement of each head 4,16 in a horizontal direction at right angles to the length of the rack piece 399. Each latch plate 43D is pivotally yconnected to its associated head by means of a stud 436, which may be turned so as to swing the latch piece through an angle of about from the illustrated locking position to a retracted position in which it permits the bar to be readily lifted away from the rack piece. Thus, it will be appreciated that the cross bars 4110 are releasably connectible to the rack pieces 399 and when so connected, afford rm supports for the track sections 390.

The transverse angle members 391 of the plank members '333 adjacent the ends thereof are spaced inwardly substantially one half the width of the cross bars 411i! whereby they abut the side walls of the bars to hold the sections `359 through 358 in place. The longitudinally extending angle members 392 are spaced inwardly from the edges of the plank members 333 to position the plank members when they are used to form a platform or floor when the trailer 300 is used to carry dry freight, as will beevident below.

Intermediate the bars 439, I provide additional track supporting members 492 in the form .of transversely extending members more clearly shown in Fig. 16. These tie members i192 are somewhat similar to the brackets 55 (Fig. 7A.) except that the member 402 is fabricated in one piece and instead of pivoting and swinging about the straps 362 and 334, it merely slides therein whereby it is bodily removable therefrom. Stops 493 are provided on the uprights 326 to prevent jamming of the members 432 into the straps 352 and364. As do the brackets 56, the brackets 402 have a raised center portion 493 which determines the location of the track sections 350 with respect to each other.

- When it is desired to remove the equipment for carrying automobiles, the track sections 359 are bodily removed from the tie bars 491i and the brackets 492 after which the tie bars and brackets are removed, the tie bars being removed by unlocking the locking connections 415 and 416 between the bar and the track sections and the brackets being removed simply by lifting them out of their supporting straps 332 and 334. In order to provide a platform bottom for the trailer 399 so that it is useful for hauling general merchandise, a pair of longitudinally extending racks 494, similar to the rack sections 399, are provided. These racks 494 extend substantially the full length of the trailer 390 and are secured to the walls thereof,A as by welding, to the uprghts 326. A number of tiebars 466 are arranged transversely of. the trailer to the two toothed strips or racks and spaced at the same width as the width of the trackmembers 356. The track members along with the required additional similar members are then laid transversely of the trailer to form a general freight supporting platform resting upon the tie bars 466. It will be evident that with the track or plank members in this position, the before-mentioned longitudinally extending angle members serve to engage the side walls of the tie bars 466 to hold the plank members in position.

If desired, additional racks may be provided which extend longitudinally of the trailer 366, one set 466 being shown adjacent the top'` portion of the trailer in Fig. 15, and another set 468 being shown just above the level of the general inerchandise supporting platform. Thus, tie bars 4l() may be provided' to extend transversely ofthe trailer to provide various freight loading arrangements. For example, bars 4|6 may support vertical bars 661 similar to bars 466, for giving bulkhead support to the freight.

As in the previous embodiment, it is preferred to completely door the trailer. In this instance, floor 446 which may,\for example, be of corrugated sheet metal, is laid over the main cross beams, but underlies the lower automobile runo ways. f

summarizing the operating characteristics of the two illustrative embodiments of the invention which have been specifically described above, it I will be recalled that Figs. 6A and 6B collectively show the first form in condition to transport automobiles. Under these conditions, the foldable floor sections are folded up against the side walls of the trailer andare latched in place. The supporting yokes therefor `in turn are in their lowered or collapsed positions so that the dockheight iioor and its supporting structure do not interfere with movement of the automobiles into or out of the trailer. Under these conditions, the wings 54-56 `are swung outwardly, the hinged upper track sections are lowered thereon, and the bodily removable track sections 46 an-d 56 are in operative position. In usual practice, the

front lowermost automobile is first driven in, then the rear lowermost automobile is driven in after which the wings may be swung out and the upper tracks lowered, suitable ramps being provided at the rear as aforesaid so that the two uppermost automobiles are successively driven into place.

' It will be understood that in both of the illustrated embodiments of the invention', both the upper and lower automobiles are held in position by suitable clamping means or hold-downchains which are conventional in this art and-so have not been described in detail.

I Unloading is, of course, performed in the re` verse order to the loading, as described above.

' A conversion of the trailer or adjustment of the equipment to its freight carrying positions is accomplished by lifting away the removable upper track sections, and stowing the same, swinging upwardly the swingable upper track sections and latching them in place, turning the wings 54 and 56 into the stowed position of Figure 1, and thereafter elevating the yokes |56 and lowering the dock height floor sections into place. When it is desired to carry light or low density freight in the well or drop lcenter portion, it is-put in place between-the raised yokes but with at least one of-'thehngedfloor sections raised to 4per-mit in-v 14 sertion. Thus the light freight in the drop center portion is loaded before the main freight is loaded on the floor above it.

As will be apparent, in the rst illustrated embodiment, most of the several pieces thereof are nonremovably mounted in the vehicle structure, and hence are pilferproof.

In the second illustrated embodiment, the conversion and the operation under the two loading conditions are generally similar to the foregoing. H ere, however, for carrying automobiles the cross bars 466 are secured in place on the rack sections 399 (thus additionally strengthening and stiffening the vehicle as a whole) and also the intermediate supports 462 are put into position, thus supporting each of the planks at a plurality of `points along the wheel supporting lengths. Under these conditions, any of the cross bars d66 which are not utilized for upper runway supporting purposes, are stowed, as, for example, in the drop center or well section of the vehicle. It will be noted that the same structure members are employed to support upper automobiles on the one hand or the main freight floor on the other hand. Loading and unloading of automobile takes place in the manner described in connection with the first embodiment.

In converting the present embodiment for general freight holding purposes, the planks 396 are lifted away from their supports, the yokes 462 are removed, and the cross bars 466 are released from their side supports. Thereafter, the previously used cross bars 406 and the remaining previously stowed ones are connected across the continuous lower dock high side rails, the preferred spacing between cross bars being in general equal to the width of the planks 366. With the cross bars so positioned, a continuous dock high floor, composed of planks 396, may be laid upon and secured to the cross bars 466, this dock high floor, as in the previous embodiment being, for the sake of convenience, at substantially the same elevation as the front and rear raised platform areas. As in the earlier embodiment, also, stowage of freight in the drop center or well section may take place either before or after the cross bars 466 are put in place at the dock height. Here again, the cross bars 466 strengthen the vehicle when in either their upper or lower position.

An important advantage of both forms of this invention is its adaptability to mixed loads. These are important for small or spot deliveries of dealers where, for example, l, 2, or 3 automo` biles are to be delivered and the unused space may be employed for general freight; or, general freight may be picked up midway of atrip. This has not been heretofore possible, and adds to the revenue-earning capacity of the present vehicles. This ability to carry split or mixed loads results from the sectional character of the dock height iioor sections (note that the mid sections are divided close to the center line of the vehicle to permit the carrying of a forward or rearward automobile only), the individual swing up yokes of the first embodiment or the individual floor supporting cross bars of the second embodiment and the correspondingly sectionalized upper runway portions which also divide close to the center line of the vehicle or at least to permit the carrying of a front or a rear automobile only on the individual swing out wings of the iirst embodiment or the individual upper track supporting bars of the second embodiment.

It will be apparent that several types of mixed loads may be achieved as, for example, one autoas long as the combined width of said floor sections and adapted to be secured by said supporting portions on the vehicle in positions spaced longitudinally of the vehicle and intermediate the ends` of said combined floor sections over said drop center portion.

6. Apparatus for insertion in a highway transport vehicle of the type having an open top and upright substantially closed side walls that form major longitudinal frame members and a rear platform at substantially loading dock height of at least the width of and adapted to support at least one end of a tilted full-size automobile over the transport vehicle rear wheels and a wellforming surface forward of said platform and lower than the platform and substantially at required ground clearance level and being wider than and adapted to support the other end of said tilted automobile with at least a substantial portion of its bulk in said well, said apparatus serving upon insertion to cross brace the opposite side walls and to enable the vehicle to convertibly and selectively carry general freight on a level floor at substantially loading dock height or two levels of superimposed automobiles, comprising ilat panels ofno greater thickness than one half the difference between the width of a full size automobile to be transported and the inside distance between the opposite sidewalls, a plurality of beams for supporting the panels, connectors for movably mounting the beams in the vehicle between the sidewalls,said beams and connectors being adapted to support the panels in substantially theplane of the platform and over the surface, elongated guideways for the wheels of an upper level automobile, transverse arms rigidly secured to the guideways having hinge means at the ends thereof adapted for movable connection to the sidewalls substantially above the level of the platform, beams for supporting the guideways,.connectors for movably attaching the ends ofthe beams to the opposite sidewalls to support the guideways, and additional connections for interlocking the beams that are attached to oppositesidewalls, said connections being adapted to transmit forces longitudinally of the beams whereby the latter may reinforce the sidewalls.

7. In a highway vehicle having side walls, said vehicle having upper and lower supports supported on the side walls and adapted to carry upper and lower layers of automobiles with the plane of the tops of the side walls extending approximately midway through the upper layer automobiles, the upper supports being movably mounted on said side walls for movement to a stowed position, the lower supports being located at substantially the required ground clearance level and adapted to carry at least an end and a substantial part of the bulk of one lower layer automobile below loading dock height, movable freight carrying oor members supported on said side walls to overlie said lower supports and located at about standard loading dock height level and being of a size and width so that when in open inoperative position they leave an opening large enough to receive a lower level automobile carried by said lower supports, and movable roof means supported on the side walls and located adjacent to the tops thereof.

8. For use in an end loading highway vehicle convertible to carry two superimposed layers of 18 forming a lower level central portion at 'the re-` quired minimum ground clearance level, wide enough and long enough and open above it to receive therein at least one end and a substantial portion of the bulk of each of two lower level automobiles, structure to convert said vehicle for selective adjustment from a conditionfor carrying automobiles to a condition for carrying freight on a movable iioor over said central portion at substantially the same level as said end plat--l forms, said structure comprising, in combination, a plurality of movable fiat toppedfloor sections to be positioned side by sidein a common plane and having a combined `width wider than the width of an automobile and adapted to span said central portion between said side walls and a length to cover said well from end to end thereof, movable floor support members each to engage under at least two of said side `by side floor sec` tions across the width of said vehicles to support them at a level substantially the same as said end' platform, carrying members to secure said floor support members to said body, and said floor sections and said support members having male and female interengaging portions to prevent relative lateral displacements therebetween.

9. In a highway general freight transport vehicle convertible to carry two superimposed layers of standard size automobiles having sidewalls and` also having front and rear fixed platforms forming first and second storage surfaces at substantially standard loading dock height and each adapted to support one end of each of two tilted lower level automobiles and a fixed floor between and below and substantially parallel tothe platforms forming a third drop center stOrage surface at substantially the required groundclearance level, means adapting the third surface to support the wheels at one end of each of two tilted lower level automobiles, movable track means for supporting the wheels of two upper layer automobiles dening a fourth storage surface above said surfaces, said track means being mounted ,on the sidewalls and including at substantially the same level transverse frame means acting between opposite sidewalls and being convertibly movable to a non-interfering position `with re-4 spect to the space between the sidewalls for freight or freight loading crews, means forming a fth storage surface adapted to carry general freight comprising a convertibly movable floor mounted on said sidewalls so that in operative position it is in substantially the plane of the rst and second surfaces, and in open inoperative position it does not interfere with either of the two tilted lower layer automobiles each having a substantial portion of its bulk below the operative plane of said floor, and a second cooperatively convertible transverse frame means movably connected between said opposite sidewalls in its operative position at a level above said floor to give head room to freight loading crews thereon and interfering with storage of said upper layer automobiles, whereby there are one of two different upper levels of convertible transverse frame means acting between said opposite sidewalls for each of the two conversion conditions for freight carrying and for automobile carrying.

10. In a highway vehicle convertible to carry general freight or two superimposed layers of automobiles, the combination of a vehicle frame structure including a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending vertical side frames disposed opposite each other and a longitudinally extending horizontal bottom frame extending between and rigidly interconnecting the lower por- 

